2012 IDP Fantasy Football Week 3: Defensive Linemen Rankings

We knew coming into the season that the Titans were projected to be thin on the depth chart behind Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley at defensive end. Both are off to good starts this season, and with the Titans defense on the field with regularity, we should look to them as weekly starters.

Both defensive ends were interesting stories coming into this season, but Morgan was the player I watched closely in the preseason. In preseason Week 1, Morgan didn’t look great but came away with a sack against the Seahawks. That said, his intensity off the ball was much better against the Buccaneers and Cardinals.

It appears he looks all the way back from a torn ACL injury from the 2010 season. If the Titans continue to struggle on offense, it’s more than reasonable to project more than 50 total tackles this season for the third-year end.

What Did We Learn From Week 2?

It’s still early, but thus far, ends like Cameron Wake, Adrian Clayborn, Jabaal Sheard, Osi Umenyiora and Mario Williams have disappointed in the box score. Of the four, look to Williams as the likely end to turn it around first—he could get things going this week against Brandon Weeden.

Ndamukong Suh looks like he did back in his rookie season. This is great news for the Lions and for those of you that start him in leagues with a defensive tackle position.

Sean’s Week 3 Watch List

There’s a reason why I was jumping up and down when Falcons strong safety William Moore (on a few of my IDP teams) sacked Peyton Manning, and it wasn’t just for the points. Manning is a tough customer to bring down, and while J.J. Watt has been terrific early on, this week we should have some caution about his big-play odds, especially playing in Denver.

The matchup between Joe Staley and Jared Allen should be a good one, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Allen finds his way to Alex Smith more than once.

1	Jason Pierre-Paul	at Panthers
2	Trent Cole	at Cardinals
3	Jared Allen	49ers
4	Jason Babin	at Cardinals
5	Elvis Dumervil	Texans
6	Calais Campbell	Eagles
7	Derrick Morgan	Lions
8	Matt Shaughnessy	Steelers
9	Jeremy Mincey	at Colts
10	Kamerion Wimbley	Lions
11	Ndamukong Suh	at Titans
12	Julius Peppers	Rams
13	Robert Quinn	at Bears
14	Chandler Jones	at Ravens
15	Justin Smith	at Vikings
16	Justin Tuck	at Panthers
17	Chris Long	at Bears
18	Geno Atkins	at Redskins
19	Chris Clemons	Packers
20	Will Smith	Chiefs
21	Darnell Dockett	Eagles
22	Haloti Ngata	Patriots
23	Mario Williams	at Browns
24	Henry Melton	Rams
25	Cameron Jordan	Chiefs
26	J.J. Watt	at Broncos
27	Cliff Avril	at Titans
28	Jabaal Sheard	Bills
29	Kyle Williams	at Browns
30	Charles Johnson	Giants
31	Cameron Wake	Jets
32	Michael Johnson	at Redskins
33	Adrian Clayborn	at Cowboys

Week 3 IDP Rankings – QB | RB | WR | LB | DB |